Ferndale Union High School - Tomahawk Yearbook (Ferndale, CA)

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Down with the Marquis, growled Jules. Yes! Yes!', the audience cried excitedly. Down with the Marquis. Mademoiselle Flourie must never be suspected. Noi No! You must not harm LOuis,,' cried Jeanne in alarm. But we must do something to get him out of the way and protect you- lle is the only one who suspects you, expostulated Giles. ' The hooded figures paid no attention to the pleas of Jeanne. They loved her and would do anything to keep her from harm. Several plans were put forth for the execution of the Marquis. Finally, a plan was decided upon. Jules, the servant of Louis, was to admit two armed men at seven o'clock the next evening, while the Marquis and his household were at dinner. He was then to hide the men in the sleeping apartments of the Marquis. Wliile the Marquis was preparing for bed, these men were to slay him. Jeanne walked blindly home, stumbling over the rough cobblestoned streets, accompanied by Jules. Th-ey entered the house through the secret passage that had been built by the followers of Jeanne. Emerging softly from the closet door under the staircase, she stole quietly to her rooms. Once there, she locked the door and hid her black hood and cloak. Then she threw herself upon the bed and sobbed: They are going to kill Louis. They are going to kill him. Oh, what can I do? What can I do P Save him, her conscience said. Save him P she thought. Yes, but how? If the plan fails tomorrow night, they have other plans. If I warn him, he will know I am Number One and then the society will be a failure. How can I save him ? Calm and dry-eyed, she thought of ways of escape. She could warn him and escape to her followers and never come back again, but that would never do. She loved him. It was a new thought. Did she love him? Yes, and she must save him. If he escaped this time he would be retaken, for she had fol- lowers in every city in France. This time little La Guillotine would slackfher thirst in Louis' blood, but that must never happen. That head, with its mass of waving dark brown hair and laughing brown eyes must neverrest in La Guillotine's jaws. VVhat could she do? 'fEscape to England before it is too late, answered an inner voice. That was it. 'lliey 'must Hee from France, immediately, if she wanted to escape recognition at the gate of Paris. But she would have 'to be careful for Jules slept .in a room off the hall, in order to be near the door 'to answer its summons. ' 4 Putting on her cloak she stole quietly down the stairs and out into the night. At a place where cabs were kept,' she ordered one to be ready in an hour to take herself and a companion to the Channel. This done, she returned and awak- ened L0uis. i LOuis hastily dressing after Jeanne's whispered command to get up, joined her in the hallway. Putting her Fingers to her lips to show that she wanted silence, Jeanne caught hold of his hand and .stealthily crept down the stairs to the closet door under the staircase. Entering, Jeanne softly closed the door, 13

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she quietly and stealthily crept down the stairs again, then crossed the hall and hid herself behind the heavy plush portieres. In the next room, Louis was speaking. , You are to find out all you can about a society called La'Republiqueg also find out who Number One is and report to me. VVe will then find ways and means to dispose of him. That is enough about that. Have you found out any information that will be of use to us ? Yes The people in the St. Antoine quarter have been ordered to assemble on July twelfth, and at a given signal, to attack the Bastile. We'll see if the dogs like powder and steel, continued Guy. That is all, Marquisfl Then you may go, Guy, but report to me in a fortnight on La Republiquef' That evening at the Queens reception, Jeanne danced and smiled her way through the evening. During a lull in the gaities, Louis missed Jeanne and searched for her among the throng. Unable to find her, he passed out into the night and searched the gardens. As he approached a rose-arbor, a heavily muffled grey figure quickly emerged and disappeared down the path. Louis en- tered the arbor and came upon Jeanne fsitting quietly in the moonlight. XVhat are you doing here P he demanded. VVho was it that left the arbor as I approached ?'l Jeanne stiffened perceptibly as Louis questioned her and she answered: It was too warm in the house and I came here to get a breath of cool air. I am certain that no one was here for I have been here quite a long time. But I am certain that I saw some one leave this arborf' Louis insisted. No you did not. Can't you take my word for it ? Yes, your word is all right, answered Louis, but he looked at her queerly. He was positive that he had seen some one leave the arbor. VVho could it have been? Some one, certainly, that Jeanne did not want him to know about. What was the matter with Jeanne? She had 'not been acting as usual. Then he re- membered having come upon her talking to Jules-something unusual-but he dismissed it as a prank. VVas she as innocent as she looked? VVell, Jeanne would bear watching he thought- I think we had better go back into the house, Louis said aloud. Anything to please you, Monsieur, answered Jeanne. We will have to postpone the assault on the Iiastile, because the Marquis knows our plans and is prepared to frustrate them. I have glecided that July fourteenth will be a suitable day. Is it satisfactory to you? Ay! Ayf' How did the Marquis of St. Clairs find out about out plans ? asked one of those assembled. His henchman, Guy, informed, himf' replied Jeanne, although I do not see where he got the information. I think the Marquis knows too much, declared Giles. Q Last night he found me in the arbor, where I had just given orders to Giles to call this meeting. I think he suspects me,'l she ended. Immediately there was consternation among them. Their leader suspected! That must never beg Louis must be done away with. ' 12 f

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